Summer in Mara is a fantastic new game about a young girl and her adventure in Mara. It is a sweet game about a girl who is fending for herself in a world without enemies. It’s equal parts farming, crafting, and also very sweet. The game itself is just a beautiful tale of a girl out to change her world. Koa is born before the story begins but is soon rescued from the sea by a strange woman. This woman isn’t human but takes Koa in and raises her as her own. It’s touching to see Koa raised so nicely by this woman, and I enjoyed seeing them get along so well.
The player begins the game with a tutorial, where she teaches Koa how to farm and gather. Koa has a few things to learn, but she is excited all the same. Koa is a quick learner and soon can do anything that she must do to survive. The tutorial is a great teaching tool and helps the player get into the game. Once the tutorial ends, the player watches a great opening animation. This opening animation highlights characters in Koa’s journey. It’s a great way to see who is going to help Koa in the future. Plus, it gives the characters a touch more life. The characters usually exist as unmoving models, though there is emotive art of them when Koa talks to them.
After the opening animation, Koa is left alone. She no longer has her mother figure to guide her. Her mother figure is gone but is presumed dead. Koa does mention her later, but after the game begins. Though being a young child, I’m sure she’s a little shell-shocked by this death. Koa soon meets a young fish girl and sets out to return her to her home. Koa must sail out to sea and travel to a bunch of islands to do so. She first travels to an island to pick up a map so she can safely sail the open ocean. This opening island is a hub island with a good number of quests for the player to take on. Players can also buy items here and keep themselves stocked for the future.
Summer in Mara is a game that is all about farming and gathering. Koa will need to gather and plant things to push the story along. Taking on quests often charges Koa with growing certain crops. The player must travel to Koa’s home island and spend a certain amount of days waiting. Players can travel the sea while they wait, but that’s more feasible after obtaining the map. Players can also fish, which does add to the fun. Fishing in games is a staple in farming games and helps the player find some items. Though messing up might lead the player to fish up trash. It’s always good to fish when possible, so players ought to always be ready for a spot of fishing.
The quests are often as simple as buy seeds and plant them. There are a good number of tasks that involve Koa running around town, talking to different characters. It’s all in good fun, and the game doesn’t slow even if the player does have to wait five in-game days for pumpkins to grow. The quests do offer up nice bits of story and character development, so its good to complete them. The quests for the main characters are locked behind story progression, which might be a bummer for some. But there is something magical about it. Players will have to complete Koa’s story instead of playing as they want. It leads to a more organic relationship forming between Koa and her friends. They become closer as the story progresses, and it’s nice to continue the little side stories as the game moves on.
All in all, I found myself enjoying this life simulator. I found it scratched an itch I’d hoped Animal Crossing New Horizons would scratch. While that is also a great game, there is something about playing a life simulator without other players butting in. I might be a fan of multiplayer, but sometimes a solo life simulator is just what the doctor ordered. The player will find hidden messages from the Kickstarter campaign, so that’s a nice touch.
Summer in Mara is a great life simulator, and I enjoyed my time in Mara. Koa is a great character who wants to live her life to the fullest. I’m surprised that she is so strong even though she lost the woman she calls mom. Summer in Mara might not be a perfect farming simulator, but it scratches an itch. Plus, I have to smile, seeing as it takes a bit of inspiration from Wind Waker’s Great Sea. Koa has a princess to bring home, will the player help her save the day?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided